Medical Malpractice and Falls in the Emergency Room
The emergency room is a busy and fast-paced environment so it is not unusual for injuries to occur there. One common cause of patient injuries in the ER is falls. A fall can result in serious physical damages, as well as costly financial losses.
If a fall occurs in the ER, it is important to consider whether it was the result of medical malpractice. When medical malpractice causes a fall in the emergency room, victims have the right to pursue financial compensation for related damages. Medical malpractice attorney Lynn C. Harris can help individuals in the Salt Lake City, UT, area explore their legal options following a fall in the ER.
How Do I Know If a Fall Was the Result of Medical Malpractice?
If a patient falls while in the emergency room, hospital personnel are unlikely to take responsibility. As a result, the patient may feel like the fall was their fault, or that there is no one to be held accountable for their injury and resulting damages. While a fall in the emergency room is not always caused by medical malpractice, it often is.
The best way to determine if a fall was the result of medical malpractice is to consult with an attorney who is knowledgeable in this area of the law, such as Lynn C. Harris. Attorney Harris and his legal team can demonstrate that a fall in the emergency room was caused by medical malpractice if:
- The patient was under care (or receiving medical treatment) at the time of the fall
- The treating medical staff provided care that failed to meet the accepted standard of care
- The substandard medical care contributed to, or was a direct cause of, the fall
What Causes Falls in the Emergency Room?
There are several types of medical negligence that can result in a fall in the emergency room. Some of the most common causes of patient falls include:
- Failure to diagnose or misdiagnosis: If a medical professional fails to diagnose a condition that can compromise cognitive and physical functions, they may place the patient in a bed without safety rails or they may leave the patient unattended, either of which can result in a fall.
- Failure to assess the patient as high risk for a fall: When patients are being treated or admitted to the hospital, they should be assessed to determine if they are at high risk for a fall. Patients who are a fall risk should be clearly identified so that staff is aware that they need assistance to prevent a fall from occurring.
- Polypharmacy: Patients being treated in the emergency room are often given medication, and sometimes a combination of several different medications. If medications create side effects that make a patient prone to a fall, proper precautions should be taken to prevent injury, otherwise, medical staff can be liable.
Collecting Compensation for Damages
When medical malpractice results in a fall, attorney Lynn C. Harris can help clients at our Salt Lake City firm collect the financial compensation they are due for resulting damages. Types of damages that may be awarded in a medical malpractice case include medical expenses, lost wages, and pain and suffering.
Explore Your Legal Rights
If you have suffered a fall that you believe was the result of medical malpractice, you may be due substantial financial compensation. To discuss your legal options with medical malpractice attorney Lynn C. Harris, send us a message online, or call our Salt Lake City law firm at (801) 375-9801.
